From 'Mementoes of the Martyrs' : "...which provoked a Frenchman who was there to comment on the strange ways of the English, "those who are for the pope are hanged, those who are against him are burned:" Saint John-Paul II wrote: "The fact that one can die for the faith shows that other demands of the faith can also be met." Cardinal Müller says, “For the real danger to today’s humanity is the greenhouse gases of sin and the global warming of unbelief and the decay of morality when no one knows and teaches the difference between good and evil.” St Catherine of Siena said, “We've had enough exhortations to be silent. Cry out with a thousand tongues - I see the world is rotten because of silence.” Chesterton said, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” Brethren, Wake up!

The monthly day of Recollection was led by Father Martin Edwards, Parish Priest of St Mary Magdalene, Wandsworth, who gave two most inspiring conferences on St Francis de Sales in the light of the spirituality of Pope Benedict, with an exposition of the teaching of the recent Papal visit.

A sung Requiem Mass was celebrated at midday for the repose of the soul of Fra' Richard Cheffins, with Absolutions at the tumulum, and in the afternoon Solemn Vespers of the Dead were followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in the Crib, as this is the last weekend of Christmastide.

Our most generous benefactors the schola MUSICA CONTEXTA, again delighted a large audience of some 70 strong with a concert of English Renaissance music from the Eton Choirbook, with a truly inspired performance.

We are immensely grateful to the singers for the contribution of their skills to the work of Saint John's Hospice, and also to our audience who are so generous with their donations.

The programme was as follows:

John Browne - O Maria Salvatoris Mater a 8

Chant - Hymn: Hostis Herodes impie

William Cornysh - Gaude virgo Mater Christi a 4

Chant - Antiphon: Baptizat miles regem

John Nesbett - Magnificat a 5

John Browne - Salve Regina a 5

Chant - Hymn: Deus creator omnium

William Cornysh - Ave Maria a 4

Chant - Antiphon: Peccata mea Domine

Robert Fayrfax - Magnificat ‘Regale’ a 5

The Director, Simon Ravens, writes:

When we consider its context and history, one question the Eton Choirbook inadvertently asks of us is whether we tend to see our glass as being half empty or half full. In its own time choirbooks such as this must have been relatively common in England. But, with the religious revolution of the Reformation, such books became redundant, either destroyed or sold to book binders for their valuable parchment. Only two other choirbooks, both much smaller than Eton, survive today. Nor was the Eton book exempt from neglect: to judge from the index, nearly half of the items in the original choirbook were lost by the 1560s, when the remaining folios were rebound. Amongst the lost items are a number of works by John Browne, a truly great composer whose music survives in no other source. In its incomplete state, until the early music revival of the 20th century, for nearly 400 years the book lay virtually undisturbed on the shelves of the college library. In the light of this, are we inclined to lament what is missing from the Eton Choirbook? And widening our vision, do we lament that the surviving items can only represent a tiny fraction of the music composed by what was very evidently a golden age of English composition? Or do we give thanks that such a treasury survived at all?

Whatever conflicting emotions the history of the Eton Choirbook might arouse in us, the overwhelmingly effervescent and extrovert nature of the actual music firmly encourages us to see our glass as half full.

As part of the monthly Grand Priory Day of Recollection, a Sung Mass of Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, will be celebrated in the Church at 12 noon. The celebrant will be Fr Martin Edwards, parish priest of Saint Mary Magdalene, Wansdworth, who will also give the Conferences.

The office of Lauds of the Little Office of Our Lady will be sung at 10am; and Vespers and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at around 3.45pm, to which all are most welcome.

This is the last Recollection of Christmastide, which ends on 2nd February, so this is a good opportunity give thanks again for Our Lord's Nativity.

The two Spiritual Conferences will be held at 10.30 and 3pm in Fortescue House.

On Sunday, Lauds will be sung at 10.15 am before Mass. There will be Sung Vespers at 4 pm.

The new liturgical Ordo for the Grand Priory of England is now available HERE, and in the "Downloads" box in the sidebar. This includes all the Feasts of the Order and celebration particular to England for the Extraordinary Form. This new edition also contains notes on the necessary variations in the Celebration of the Divine Office. Comments and further suggestions may be made by post to the Chancellery of the Grand Priory at Fortescue House in London.

The Ordinary Form calendar is available, courtesy of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, HERE. The dates of Feasts of the Order are the same in both Forms of the Roman Rite.

Yesterday morning, Saturday 16th January, the first day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, several members of BASMOM and of the Grand Priory, including the Chancellor, Fra' Duncan Gallie, attended the priestly ordination in Westminster Cathedral of the three former Anglican bishops, the Reverends Andrew Burnham, John Broadhurst and Keith Newton, and the establishment of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, which, at the order of the Sovereign Pontiff, is dedicated to the patronage of Blessed John Henry Newman.

Father Newton is appointed as the first Ordinary; we offer our congratulations him and to Fathers Burnham and Broadhurst, as also the assurance of our prayers, both for themselves at this historic time and for work of the Ordinariate and its eventual members.

It is neither the purpose of this blog to enter into political dispute, nor to promote causes which do not directly impinge upon the life of the Order of Malta in Britain.

Nevertheless occasionally we raise ethical questions, and we have a joint concern within the life of the Order, as part of Tuitio Fidei, for the promotion of the teachings of Holy Mother Church, and to caution against behaviour which may depart from the precepts of the Gospel. Among such is Respect for the integrity of Creation (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2415-8), which requires of us worthy stewardship of the blessings we have received for our benefit, support and pleasure.

"It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly." (CCC 2418)

Many will be aware of the current European legislation (the Common Fisheries System) which requires the 'discarding' of fish caught in European waters which exceed the Quota system, but are nevertheless still caught by our fishermen. Half of all fish caught is discarded in this way. Dead. Despite its Divine purpose, it is destined never to provide food for humanity, and serves only to pollute the breeding-grounds for other fish. Most children would regard this as sinful.

The Conventual Church celebrated the Feast of the coming of the Magi with a Solemn Mass in the Extraordinary Form, celebrated by our Chaplain, Fr David Irwin. After the Gospel the Solemn proclamation of the moveable feasts for 2011 was sung, to the traditional 'Exultet' tone.

After the Mass, Fortescue House was blessed with the Epiphany Blessing, and the traditional inscription in chalk marked on the doorpost, 20+C+M+B+11, in honour of the visit of the The Kings to Our Lord's home.

MAGNIFICAT ANTIPHON FOR THE HOUSE BLESSINGAnt.: Magi from the East came to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasure chests they presented Him with precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial. Alleluia.

PRAYER OF THE ORDER OF MALTA

Lord Jesus, Thou hast seen fit to enlist me for Thy service among the Knights of St John of Jerusalem. I humbly entreat Thee through the intercession of the most holy Virgin of Philermo, of St John the Baptist, Blessed Gerard and all the Saints, to keep me faithful to the traditions of our Order. Be it mine to practise and defend the Catholic, the Apostolic, the Roman faith against the enemies of religion: be it mine to practise charity towards my neighbours, especially the poor and the sick; Give me the strength I need to carry out this my resolve, forgetful of myself, learning ever from Thy holy Gospel a spirit of deep and generous Christian devotion, striving ever to promote God’s glory, the world’s peace, and all that may benefit the Order of St John of Jerusalem. AMEN